THE SADDEST SONG IN THE WORLD OF ALL TIME

Here’s a song by Soundcheck from Odd Squad. It’s so sad!

JUMP UP

Here’s a song by Elvis Costello. I learned about this song from an interview that Terri Gross did with Stephen Colbert a few years ago. So thanks to Stephen for introducing me to this song. And thanks to Elvis for writing it!

Just For Once

Here’s another song by Fred Rogers from the album You Are Special. This song makes me thankful for the time I get with the people I love while we move through our busy lives. Thanks so much, Fred.

FEELIN' GOOD

Here’s a song by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricuss, which I first heard from Nina Simone. Thank you so much to Anthony and Lesley for such a beautiful song that has been arranged and adapted in so many wonderful ways. Like all of these songs, I hope it continues to live on into the future for many years to come.

STUPID PREOCCUPATIONS

Here’s a song by Vic Chesnutt, yet another artist that was introduced to me by John Whitaker during my high school years. I hope I’ve honored this one well enough here. It’s an important song for me about what it means to be a songwriter. Here’s to Vic for all his wonderful music!

I WANT TO SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT

Here’s a song by Richard and Linda Thompson. I changed a couple of the chords around in this version. I first heard this song in a movie called Looper a few years back. I don’t remember much about the movie, but I discovered this song!

2009 DEMOS

I’ve decided to post all of the 2009 demos here instead of posting them one at a time. As much as I’d like to discuss them individually, I simply have other things to do at the moment. I’ll get the 2010 files up soon as well. If anyone has any questions about any of these please feel free to ask. Thanks!

IF I ONLY HAD THE NERVE

Here’s a familiar song by Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg from The Wizard of Oz. I love all three versions of this song, but this one has spoken to me more than the others so far. Plus, I do have quite the beezer. Thanks Harold and Yip!

I'M GOING TO GO BACK THERE SOMEDAY

Here’s a tune by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher. Thank you both for such a beautiful song. I remember shopping at Bleecker Street Records in the West Village of NYC when I came across a copy of the soundtrack to the Muppet Movie for $1. I’ve listened to that copy so many times, especially now since our kids were born.

PERFECT DAY

Here’s a song with music by Fred Rogers and lyrics by Josie Carey. I first heard it while watching the episode about Josephine the Short-Necked Giraffe. The story begins with this song being sung by a sunflower, a frog, and a tree. Apparently, Mr. Rogers originally wrote this story in French during his college years. Then, in the late 1960s, he also released an entire album with this story set to music, long before the TV episode I saw was ever released. Anyway, I just think it’s a happy little song so here it is. Thanks Fred & Josey!

SWEET SLUMBER

Here’s a song by Lucky Millinder, Al Neiburg, and Henri Woode. I first heard it a couple years ago on the album The Blues Is Now by Jimmy Witherspoon with Brother Jack McDuff. Really outstanding album. As a parent of two young children, this song continues to ring true in several different ways. Many thanks to Lucky, Al, and Henri for such a lovely creation.

IT'S A MIGHTY WORLD

Here’s a song by Odetta. This song means so much to me. I’m eternally grateful for its existence and to Odetta for introducing me to so many other wonderful songs as well. This song reminds me to enjoy life, marvel at the world around me, and remember that we’re all in this together. Thank you, Odetta. Thank you.

SO LONG IT'S BEEN GOOD TO KNOW YA

Here’s a song by Woody Guthrie. I remember helping to collect artifacts from his life while working in the Smithsonian Folkways archive about twenty years ago. They were putting together a new retrospective of his music and needed old photographs, letters, and so forth, which I was supposed to gather from the archive for the production team. I also worked on a project about Broadside Magazine that was really fascinating too. Folkways has many outstanding releases though. Check ‘em out! And thanks of course to Mr. Guthrie, as true a pioneer as there ever was.

BEAUTIFUL RIDE

All Hail Dewey Cox! I’m eternally grateful for the distinct pleasure of singing this song. What an outstanding achievement from Dan Bern and Mike Viola. One of the finest songs ever written.

DRUMS IN LOUISVILLE

Here’s a couple minutes of a two drummers warming up in the back what was Lisa’s Oak Street Lounge (now known as Kaiju) in February 2009. I’m not sure why I was there or who I came to see that evening, but I’m happy I managed to capture this.

BEAST IN ME

Here’s a song by Nick Lowe off his album The Impossible Bird. I first heard this song many years ago during the end credits of a Sopranos episode. We made a habit of rewatching a season every summer, but haven’t this year for whatever reason. There’s still time! Seriously though, many thanks to Nick Lowe for this song. It’s wonderful.

SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS, AND RAINBOWS

Here’s a tune by Marvin Hamlisch that was popularized by Lesley Gore back in the 1960s. I first heard it during an episode of The Simpsons probably ten years ago. The key change in the middle was fun to learn and helped me think about the guitar in different ways than I had before. Thanks Marvin & Lesley!

YOU HAVE TO LEARN YOUR TRADE

Here’s a song by Fred Rogers from his album You Are Special. This song reminds me that I have to practice if I want to get better at anything I do, and that part of the fun of getting better is the process of doing so. Many thanks as always to Mr. Rogers!

HOLLAND 1945

Here’s a song by Neutral Milk Hotel from their album In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. The first time I heard this song, I was riding in the back of a van in the middle of the night after playing a gig, on the way to another town, another club. Many thanks to our fearless tour manager, Scott Shupe, for introducing me to this music. And of course, endless thanks to Neutral Milk Hotel.

I DON'T WANT TO GET OVER YOU

Here’s a song by The Magnetic Fields from 69 Love Songs. Please check out their other albums as well (Holiday is excellent). I remember hearing this song in a cinema in Prague one time right before the previews started. It brought back memories of listening to this band with good friends. Many thanks to The Magnetic Fields for such a wonderful song.